Why do bad things happen to good people?

Today: Job 1-4

A year ago, I heard about an incredible woman who was on medical leave. While on medical leave, she was laid off from her job. The day after she was laid off, she found out that she had cancer (on top of her other medical issue). This woman is kind, she loves God and she's a dedicated worker. She did nothing to deserve the hard things she faced.

Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do bad things happen to God's people?

Many people reason, "If God is good, He wouldn't allow horrible things to happen to good people" or "Maybe people who experience tragedy did something to warrant the bad things happening in their lives."

These are tough questions and tough criticisms. Job's amazing story can help us address some (note that I'm not saying all) of them. Job was an incredible God-honoring man who lived his life with integrity. However, God allowed Satan to test Job's faith. In one day, all of Job's children died and Job lost all of his livestock (his income). After that, Job was cursed with a health crisis--he had horribly itchy, painful sores and ulcers from head to toe (ewww...).

Let's take a look at an interesting conversation between Job and his wife:

His wife said,

"Still holding on to your precious integrity, are you?

Curse God and be done with it!"
He told her,

"You're talking like an empty-headed fool.

We take the good days from God—

why not also the bad days?"
Not once through all this did Job sin.

He said nothing against God.

Wow. Job's example shows that we can't always control what happens to us, but we can determine how we respond. Despite the pressure and his personal feelings, Job choose to trust in God's sovereignty. He didn't understand--he just trusted.

Tomorrow: Job 5-7

No question. No silence.

Have you ever seen or experienced something that you just have to tell people about?

For me, one of those things is Mutton Bustin'. Mutton Bustin', as seen at my hometown's fair, is a sport where toddlers ride sheep...in rodeo-style glory. It's pretty hilarious, fun to watch and a little bit unbelievable all at the same time. Since it started at our local fair, it's the talk of the town...well, that and the chocolate-covered bacon they're serving (no, I'm not kidding!).

It's pretty amazing what people can't stop talking about, isn't it? Celebrities, the latest and greatest infomercial products (like the Shamwow and the Snuggie), sports, vacations, you name it. But in the list of topics that people just have to talk about, how often is God in the mix?

In our culture, it's actually taboo to talk about politics and religion (well, if it's Christianity, anyway--talking about most other religions seems to be more socially acceptable).

That's in stark contrast to the approach of the apostles in today's reading. They couldn't stop talking about Jesus and the miracles they witnessed...even after they were arrested and basically placed on trial in front of influential religious and political leaders. I love what Peter and John said to those leaders here:

"Whether it's right in God's eyes to listen to you

rather than to God,

you decide.

As for us, there's no question—

we can't keep quiet

about what we've seen and heard."

I LOVE their confidence, conviction and boldness.

I'm not one to necessarily advocate that Christians just start yelling on street corners or in their offices about God. In most cases, I don't think that's appropriate or what these apostles were actually doing. The leaders had told them not to use Jesus' name or talk to anyone about God--and this was simply their response back.

What have you seen and heard? And what's your response to it? Are you content to keep it to yourself? Or are you bursting to tell someone?

20 Questions with Jesus

Today: Mark 12-13

Why is the sky blue?

Why do peanut butter and chocolate taste SO GOOD together?

Who was the twelfth president?

Where IS Duluth?

When most of us are children, we have a lot of questions about the world--and we're not afraid to ask them. I'm not a parent (yet), but I DO know that one of the favorite pasttimes of toddlers is asking "What's that?" And for teenagers, the question becomes, "Why?"

As we grow up, I don't think the questions go away. They just get harder. We ask ourselves things like, "Why am I here on this planet?", "Why do bad things happen to good people?" and "Does God REALLY exist?" However, most adults don't ask questions like these out loud.

But if Jesus came visit you in person, I bet you'd have some questions (I know I would!).

Today as I read Mark 12-13, I felt a little bit like the people were playing a "20 Questions with Jesus" game. But sometimes, He asked them questions, too. Here are a few personal observations:

• Jesus sometimes answered questions with very clear, straightforward answers. (Example: "Which is most important of all the commandments?")
  
• At other times, Jesus answered questions by first questioning back. (See: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?")
  
• Jesus answered some questions people didn't explicitly ask out loud...but were probably curious about. (For example, I think He answered the question, "What is true generosity?" when He talked about the widow who gave all she had. )
  
• Jesus also initiated discussions by asking people questions. (Illustrated when He asks, "How is it that the religion scholars say that the Messiah is David's 'son,' when we all know that David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said...?)
  
• Sometimes, He answered questions with clues, but not clear-cut answers. (This is exemplified with His answer to, "What sign will we get that things are coming to a head?")

Jesus' approach to answering and asking questions was interesting for me to think about...mainly because I think that God still operates that way today.

Some of His answers to my questions have been pretty clear-cut...the answers are laid out clearly in the Bible so if I know what it says (or who to ask), I can find a very straight answer.

Sometimes, I think God questions us back--kind of like a good parent. For example, if I asked my mom and dad, "What do you think I should do with my life?", they would probably ask me questions like, "What are you interested in? What are your strengths? What are you passionate about doing? Who do you want to help through your work? What do you feel called or drawn to do?"

I know for sure Mom and Dad wouldn't want me to be a stripper (and I think God has boundaries like that, too). However, I think my parents would be pleased whether or not I chose to be a stay-at-home mom (well, as long as I was married first!), writer, project manager, teacher, speaker, researcher, etc. The point is that in some areas of our lives, I believe God gives us choices, but guides us to possible answers by asking us questions or providing some clues along the way.

Finally, I think sometimes God still wants to initiate discussions by asking us questions. This may sound a little strange...but I think every human being has a little bit of wonder in them (and I'm not talking about that cheap, airy white bread!). :) We wonder about the future and about the past. We wonder about good and evil, heaven and hell. We wonder about the meaning of our lives and we wonder about sickness and death. But have you ever asked yourself this important question--where does that "wonder" come from?

Tomorrow: Mark 14